BattlefieldsSiege of Arundel Castle 1139
Medieval

Siege of Arundel Castle 1139

1139
West Sussex, England
Also known as: Arundel 1139 · Stephen besieges Matilda at Arundel 1139
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
West Sussex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Matilda
Forces
Matilda: small escort and Arundel garrison under her stepmother Queen Adeliza
VS
Victor
Empress Matilda escapes (Stephen lets her go)
Forces
Stephen: royal army besieging the castle
Outcome
Stephen besieged Arundel where Matilda had landed but was persuaded by his advisers to let her travel to Bristol in safety — a decision he later deeply regretted
The Battle

History & Significance

When Empress Matilda landed at Arundel in September 1139, Stephen had her at his mercy. His decision to allow her safe passage to Bristol — reportedly on the chivalric advice of Henry of Blois — was one of the great political mistakes of his reign. Had he captured her, the Anarchy would have ended before it truly began.

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